Are you curious about what some of the best company team building activities are? Team building activities are a fantastic way to improve a company’s efficiency and morale, by creating an atmosphere of camaraderie at the office. Yet, many employees actually dislike team building activities. According to a 2012 Wakefield Research Study, these activities might be counterproductive when not executed properly, introducing tensions and creating distrust in the workplace, making it quite important to find the best ones.
Team-building activities are a good way of bringing co-workers together, providing opportunities to unwind and bond, creating confidence in each other and within the overall work environment. In order to make these exercises actually work, it is important to recognize that people are different, and not everyone is comfortable in groups. The main thing to avoid is putting employees in embarrassing situations, respecting each person’s feelings. Moreover, it is important to take into account the different physical abilities of each worker, and offer different options as to make all employees feel as relaxed as possible.
Some companies aren’t used to introducing these sorts of activities, and yet it might be a very good way of solving problems and facing challenges. For example, the Top 10 Most Profitable Franchises in 2014, which are indeed a great solution for many entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, usually make good use of some of the best company team building activities. Companies such as Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Anytime Fitness are considered the best options for investing in 2014, given their powerful brands, profitable track records, and of course, performance, which includes their employee’s efficiency and capacity.
When a team-building activity works out, employees end up united as a group, increasing strengths, addressing weaknesses and developing important problem-solving capacity and creativity skills. Furthermore, a good working environment makes each worker enjoy their time at the office more, and everyone knows a happy worker is a good worker. So we’ve prepared a list featuring the best company team building activities. Check it out!
No. 6 A Truth and A Lie
First thing to do is have each member introduce themselves. They should state their name, along with one true fact, and one lie. After each person’s statements and an open conversation where everyone can question the other person’s statements, each worker should guess which is the truth and which the lie, about everyone’s presentation. The objective is to convince everyone that your lie is your truth, and your truth, the lie. This exercise has two purposes: helping co-workers acquaintance, and encouraging group communication.
No. 5 Back-to-Back Drawing
This is a good activity for improving communication. The first thing to do is divide your group into pairs, and have each pair sit on the floor back to back. Each person in each pair should receive a picture of a shape, and the other person of the pair, should receive a pencil and pad of paper. Then, the action begins. Everyone holding a picture has to give verbal instructions to their partners on how to draw the shape but, of course, without actually telling which shape it is. When finishing, each pair should compare their original shape to the drawing, and consider how they worked together, and where they could’ve improved in their communication.
No. 4 Volunteering Activities
A coordinated employee volunteer activity helps workers bond while doing solidarity activities, and supporting the community at the same time. By giving back to the community, co-workers develop team spirit and strength, along with leadership abilities.
No. 3 Mine Field
A good exercise to build interdependence and trust is Mine Field. In a large room or outdoor field, set up a “mine field” using different stuff, such as chairs, balls, cones or boxes. You should leave enough space between objects for people to walk through. Divide the group in pairs, and put together people who don’t know each other very well, or have trust issues. Then, blindfold a person of each pair, and make him or her walk through the mine field guided only by his or her partner’s verbal directions. With only a few minutes to get through the mine field, each couple should arrive at least once to the other side.
No. 2 Talking in Circles
This challenge begins by placing everyone in a circle around a long piece of string, tied at its ends to form a circle. All should grasp the string with both hands and hold it, without letting go. The team has to form shapes with the string. The first time, it is with eyes open, but the second time, everyone should have their eyes shut. The challenge here is to communicate clearly, and be precise with movements.
No. 1 Sports Activities
One of the best team-building activities is, no doubt, sports. And the best is thought to be paint-balling. It is a great way of encouraging groups, and getting co-workers to cultivate some team spirit. Moreover, this sort of team exercise not only benefits the employees by creating stronger bonds, but also increases physical activity, improving health and raising motivation.
